Official: 3 Afghan children killed in insurgent attack

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Three Afghan children were killed when insurgents attacked police and troops who were visiting villagers in Zabul province, the deputy provincial governor said Tuesday.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon, as Afghan local police and International Security Assistance Forces were attacked by insurgents while visiting residents of Ludin village, said Mohammad Jan Rasolyar, deputy governor of Zabul province.

The children were killed in the crossfire of the ensuing gunfight, and three other people were injured, Rasolyar said.

After the gunfight, the Taliban forced villagers to conduct riots, blocking the Kabul-Kandahar highway briefly.

In a text message sent to reporters, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said the children were killed by foreign soldiers.